Zephyr: The Elemental Clans

192 - Vision of the End

*A Few Minutes Ago*

Grisha Astra - POV;

"So you've finally resurfaced," I muttered, "Time to turn yourself in, Duran Blaze."

The ever stoic male stood unmoving, looking down at me with a glare that could only be characterized as having pure malice. The sea of fire raging around him complemented the brilliant glow of the wispy, white flames lining his muscular frame and they proved to be a testament to his destructive tendency.

However, something was amiss. The power being exuded from him was far inferior to what the legends would have us believe. While adept Vessels may indeed control the flow of Elemental Energy within themselves to conceal their strength from enemies and even allies, this situation screamed awry.

Regulus Blaze had yet to respond to my demand and, for that matter, he had yet to do much of anything. I was certain that by now he'd have attempted to make his move, but instead we remained locked in a silent staredown.

"Duran, stand down and-" I began, but I cut myself off when I shot forward in a burst of lightning, driving my fist into his chest as I entered melee range. Unbelievably, my arm sunk straight through him, emerging from his back as the colour of his skin and clothing faded to white and he crumbled to dust, burnt away into ash as well as melted away into a puddle; all simultaneously.

"So this is what Xyder was talking about... this odd power that Blaze has, it seems to possess aspects of the other elements all gelled into one. Just now, it was as solid as Earth, yet its edge still behaved like fire. Not only that, he bent and manipulated the light reflecting off of it to give it the appearance and colour of flesh and cloth. That level of micro-manipulation is rare, even amongst the best of the best. But damn that Duran Blaze! He's made me waste time by playing around with his double," I cursed.

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Duran Blaze - POV;

I leaned against the chipped wall of the dark, musky alley as I lifted my favourite, embossed, branded lighter to the thick cigar held firmly between my lips. Around the corner, in the streets to the front of the building I stood behind, Grisha glanced around wildly after abolishing the fake I'd left in my stead as a distraction for the Regulus of Astra.

It wasn't long before the man, a dog to the Heirarchy's influence, took off once again, likely in hopes of pinpointing my location. His time spent licking the boots of the VI Kings as a leader of their Elite Enforcers wasn't all for naught however. His instincts in the face of battle and an enemy are second to very few from this era. He had likely already known I was leading this charge long before our untimely encounter just a minute ago.

Satisfied that he was long gone, I pushed forward once more, this time sticking to the shadows to err on the side of caution. Many powerful individuals dotted the battlefield laid out before me and among them were the likes of The Reguluses of the Elemental Clans: Severin Atmos, Frederic and Fawna Geodus, Zella Eclipse, Damon Neptulus and, of course, Grisha Astra. I couldn't afford to encounter any of them as a fight would only waste precious time; time that, should I squander, would allow Horus to flee. I would not let that happen.

Luckily for myself, Severin, Fredric, Fawna and Zella were all focusing on evacuating their respective clansmen from Fenix City to safe locations on the outskirts. As such, they were largely moving out of our way and avoiding conflict with my men. Astra and Neptulus proved to be another story entirely however. Grisha and Damon were evidently on my tail and the members of their clans whom were scattered through the city were fighting back against our forces, albeit they were still greatly outnumbered. The Hydra, Aurora, had finally made her move, engaging Rex in a battle of towering beasts; a conflict which could be heard thundering from the southern end of the city.